Finally got Nelson to guide me to the historic site that used top be the logging company town of Valsetz. Another perfect day, sunny and warm with no wind to speak of.
We drove up the Lukiamute to the start of Wildwood road. Pretty soon the route entered a private road system, which was well maintained with some pretty course gravel. It is railroad grade for about 10 miles before a short climb over the divide to the Siletz drainage. Then a few more miles downhill to Valsetz. At this point there are a lot of intersecting roads and it would be easy to get lost. There is nothing to mark where the town was except one old foundation.
We explored around a bit and then followed the Siletz downstream for a few miles before crossing a bridge a looping back around on a different road. Things began to get very lush as the Siletz picked up size. True Coast Range beauty.
I was very pleased at how the Grando handled the chunky gravel. I was able to glide right over some pretty loose stuff and I never slipped or skidded once. My confidence grew as the ride wore on. The bike really is well suited to this kind of riding.